In a typical section, the book takes on the intricacies of the Exchange 2000 Server data stores. After a speedy but accurate introduction to what each store is for and how it works, the book outlines recommendations (several, actually, each suited for an organization of a particular size and with specific performance requirements) for fitting databases onto disks and protecting those disks with RAID schemes. Coverage of the Exchange 2000 Server database infrastructure is detailed similarly: there's background information, for example, about the performance advantages of zeroing out deleted database pages, and steps to follow for scheduling indexing jobs. More information on customizing Outlook--the most popular client for Exchange 2000 Server--with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) would have made this book better, but it is strong as it stands. --David Wall

Topics covered:

• Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server, from the administrator's perspective
• The relationship between Exchange 2000 Server and Active Directory
• Management of users and groups
• Management of online and offline address lists
• Database design and upkeep
• Server optimization
• Message routing